Agent's Open House

On Friday I will be hosting an Agent's Open House for a newly listed property in Marsh Harbour. This is an event where I have the opportunity to showcase a fabulous property and promote it to my fellow real estate agents.

This house is exceptional and warrants the attention. I feel that this is a very important service to offer to a seller as the more exposure a property gets the better. I will have light refreshments for my agent guests and am hopeful of a nice turnout.

This elegant home is located in Pelican Shores which is one of the most desired areas in Marsh Harbour. Click here to view this property.

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin

Advantages of pre-qualifing

Everyone out there probably dreams of owning their own home one day. Not everyone has the cash to buy any house on the market. How disappointing it is to search for a home, fall in love with one only to go to the bank and be told that you don't qualify for the amount needed to purchase the house.

Here's your first step when looking for property or a house. Make an appointment with your loan officer and tell them you'd like to be pre-approved before you start looking for real estate. Your loan officer will be able to tell you the amount that you are approved for. This way you know what your comfort zone is when looking for a house or vacant property.

The other advantage is simply that's one major step of the financing process completed! Once finding a house in the qualifying price range, your bank will then need an appraisal on the specific property to finalize their approval.

I've seen buyers pretty disappointed when someone beats them to the punch after they have finally found a property they want. Why did this happen? Because they were still waiting on the loan process. Having completed that first step of the financing approval really does have it's advantages and will speed things up for you.

Another advantage is 'buying power'. A seller will take you more seriously when you're submitting an offer if they know that you have met with your loan officer previously and are qualified. This proves you are a serious buyer.

If you're ready to begin looking for your piece of Abaco real estate call me today and I'll get right to work for you.

Your Abaco Real Estate agent
~Mailin Sands
www.realestateinabaco.com

Wilson City Power Plant

Happy Friday Folks,

Just wanted to let everyone know that there will be a town meeting next Thursday, 10th Sept at 7:00pm to discuss the new Bahamas Electricity Corporation's power plant at Wilson City. The venue will be held at New Vision Ministries in Marsh Harbour. This is a very important meeting and all who are able to attend should make the effort so that we can educate ourselves on the type of fuel that this plant will use and other facts about the new station.

Minister of Environment, Hon. Earl D. Deveaux and Minister of State, Hon. Phenton O. Neymour will be there!


Well we are having showers of blessings here in Abaco today as the rain has been pouring down for the past 2 hours. It looks as if Tropical Storm Erika is not going to be much of a threat but there is another storm just off of the coast of Africa that the 'weather people' are watching. Let's keep our fingers crossed that all storms steer clear of Abaco this year.

Well it's a holiday weekend for the US, Labour Day, so we are bound to see more people around over the next few days. Some use this time for a quick get away and just to simply relax and others may plan to use the holiday to schedule their trip over to look at Abaco real estate.

Today I'd like to remind you of the development South of the Marsh Harbour International Airport called Schooner Bay. Here is the link that will direct you to the listing on our website.

http://www.coldwellbankerbahamas.com/listing-new%2Bmodern%2Bsustainable%2Bseaside%2Bvillage%2C%2Babaco%2B-1643.html

Simply copy and paste that link into your brower. This environmentally concious development is currently in it's first phase and moving right along. The village will feature houses that resemble those of yesteryear and remind you of the charm that can be found in places like Hope Town, Man-O-War and Harbour Island. It boasts a lovely Atlantic beach and also a harbour for the boat lovers.

Please view the listing and email me at mailin@coldwellbankerbahamas.com for additional information.

Have a great weekend!

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

A Real Estate Pillar has fallen

Last month one of Abaco's Real Estate greatest passed away after a battle with cancer. Derek Lee (affectionately called Ricky by the MOW residents) of Abaco Cays Realty was a mentor to me and many other real estate agents in the Bahamas but especially Abaco. This great man practiced business with the highest standard of ethics and helped bring our real estate industry into the 21st century. He was one who had a hand in helping to bring the first MLS into existence in the Bahamas. Our Abaco MLS was introduced even before the national MLS that was launched last year.

He helped bring the Abaco Chapter of the Bahamas Real Estate Associtaion to life and served as our first president and stayed on a second term to assist the incoming president. I had the privilege to serve with him.

Ricky lived on the same cay as I do, Man-O-War Cay. He has served on our local boards and was always willing to lend a hand to help out wherever he could. He has provided a Christmas mailing list for years to the community with all of the locals and second home owners addresses and phone numbers. Before he passed away he asked if I will help Chris Albury, one of his agents, with this project starting this year. Of course I will be honored to help not only for the benefit of the community but also in his memory.

I will miss his calls to ask my advice or opinions on a new listing and I will certainly miss his advice. I will always remember his signature greeting, 'What can I do to brighten your day?' That question alone speaks volumes of the type of man Ricky was and even before he passed away I adopted this question as a way to put a smile on someone's face. Because if I can help brighten someone's day then I have done a good deed.

A memorial service will be held in Man-O-War for him however there has not been a date set yet.

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Full Ban on Sea Turtles

It is official effective tomorrow, 1st Sept, 2009. The Bahamas Government has placed a full ban on sea turtles. One can not capture them, posses them, or sell any part of them including the eggs.

For the past 12 months the Bahamas Government has engaged in extensive consultations with the Bahamian public over this issue. The Hawksbill Turtle has been protected since 1986 but now the government has made the necessary steps to safeguard all sea turtles.

While some of you may not agree with this new ban please remember it is now illegal to capture ANY turtles even if you are only looking for enough for a meal. We must respect the law.

As you travel our pretty Abaco water's keep an eye out for these beautiful creatures as they surface, and enjoy watching them swim in their natural surroundings.

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Activity increase

Recently I have noticed a significant increase in inquiries for Abaco real estate. As you know we have not seen a strong real estate market here in Abaco, for the past 2 years and we have definitely been in a buyer's market. We know that in order for things to sell they have to be priced correctly. And even still the market has remained soft.

I would venture to say that over the past 3-4 weeks inquiries have signifincantly increased and I feel confident that more people are beginning to search for property again. What does this mean? It means listen to your agent and your appraiser and price your property fairly and your chances of getting a sale will be much greater. One can't promise that these 'lookers' are going to buy today but it makes me hopeful that potential buyers are beginning to see a light at the end of their tunnel.

For those who are ready to purchase their own peice of Abaco real estate, today is the day to contact me to find out what properties are waiting to sell!

Snag it while we are in the buyers market and secure your own piece of paradise.

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Ms Universe 2009 held in the Bahamas!

Sunday August 23rd marked an historic day for our country. The Ms. Universe 2009 pageant was held at Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas. This was a very proud moment for our small country. The eyes of the world were watching!

The contestants arrived weeks before the pageant and was fortunate to have traveled to various parts of our beautiful country to witness the island life. 29 of the contestants visited Abaco and was toured through parts of Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay and then on for a fun filled day at Manjack Cay on a beautiful beach. Our very own Krista who works in the office with me was honored to have been asked to escort these ladies around the charming settlement of GreenTurtle. Krista is a Rotarian and several Rotarians were asked to take part.

The videos during the pageant featured beautiful Abaco Real Estate and highlighted our pristine unspoiled beaches along with showing what its like to live the island life. Many people visit our shores years after year to enjoy this lifestyle and eventually decide that they have to own their own little piece of paradise here in Abaco. Many of the contestants were expressing their desire to return to our lovely country.

The pageant made history itself. It was the first time in the pageant's history that the outgoing queen crowned its successor who was from the same country. Stefania Fernadaz, Ms. Venezula, was crown queen of Ms. Universe 2009! Congratulations to her.

The Bahamas will be remembered for hosting the historic event.

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Lobster season opens

Hip hip hooray! Yes, Lobster season opened this past Saturday. I was fortunate enough to get to go out in the boat and look for a few tails. My husband of course did the spearing and my 11 year old nephew speared his very fist crawfish that day. We did not find a lot but we did manage to get enough for a meal for our family. Needless to say we enjoyed a very tasty dinner of grilled crawfish!

If you are heading over our way for vacation be sure and look for lobster/crawfish on the local restaurants' menu.

On a different note. There has been an exciting price reduction on Summer Place in Man-O-War Cay. Please copy and paste the below link into your browser and you will be directed to this property on my website.

http://www.realestateinabaco.com/Summer-Place-REDUCED-PRICE-FOR-QUICK-SALE-a74187.html

Also, Tucked Away has been reduced and the owners are motivated! If the quiet peaceful way of living is for you then you will want to have a look at the below listing. Again, copy and paste the link into your web browser.

http://www.realestateinabaco.com/Sand-Banks-a75393.html

Cheers!
Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Happy Independence Day Bahamas!

July 10th marks the Bahamas 36th year of Independence! Tomorrow is the day that will be up held for the holiday. So what's happening you ask? Well in Man-O-War there will be the annual Independence Day races and celebration! People from all over Abaco bring their kids to this much anticipated event. In the morning there are running races, sack races, three legged races, egg and spoon races, disk throwing, and more. In the afternoon the water sports begins also. There are swimming races, diving races, and bobbing for apples. Some of the fun activities for the older folks include, conch breaking contest, wood sawing contest, nailing contest and the oh so much awaited time of the day, the SLIPPERY POLE! That is where a long and huge PVC pipe with wood in the middle is nailed to the dock and extends out over the water. There is a piece of canvas nailed in the center of the wood in the PVC. The guys all take turns sliding on it to the end and trying to pull this off. Of course the first one to get it pulled off is the winner. But wait! It's not just simply one at a time! Just when you think maybe you have it, someone slides out and tries to knock you off of the pole, and into the water you will fall! And the best and most fun part is the pole has been greased in CRISCO! That's right Crisco! Wanna give it a try?


Later on that evening the winners of all of these events will be receive their medals and participants will receive a certificate. And for a beautiful close to the evening a firework display.

If you are in Abaco and are able to attend we would love to have you come out and celebrate with us!

Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
~Mailin Sands

Upgrade coming for BEC Abaco?

Budget for BEC's Abaco plant balloons by $20m

By INDERIA SAUNDERS ~ Guardian Business Reporter ~ Inderia@nasguard.com:

The government appears to have revised upward by $20m its budget for a new BEC plant in Abaco, with the minister responsible yesterday confirming the projected price tag stands at $90m.
According to State Minister for Utilities Phenton Neymour, the money would come out of the $211m loan for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation tabled in the House of Assembly last week.
"We're building (the) facility in Abaco for approximately $90m," said Neymour, a guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce's annual Meet the Ministers forum. "We expect to be finished with that in January."
Also included in the loan funds was a $30m new plant in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, as well as a Bimini plant expansion and takeover of Inagua's plant.
Yesterday's announcement of a bump-up in costs for the Abaco plant reflects a $20m difference in price from Neymour's earlier estimations.
As late as February 2009, he told Guardian Business that the government's focus was now on building that $70 million new plant meant to meet the expanding needs of the Abacos, the country's third center of commerce and site of an increasing number of resorts.
He also confirmed the Marubeni group of Tokyo has expressed interest in purchasing BEC's Abaco plant once its replacement was erected, at the same time dismissing reports a sale is, in fact, in the works.
"Marubeni has visited Abaco, to my knowledge, with a team from the (Bahamas Electricity Corporation)," he said then, speaking to source reports that, that company sharing a majority stake in Grand Bahama Power is looking to expand its presence in this market with the acquisition. "As you know, Abaco has had some challenges particularly in 2006/2007 where we had to supplement the current operation significantly, but [a sale of the old plant] has not been determined and has not been confirmed."
Given that Abaco had a growing economy, the island is attractive to power generators looking to grow their business outside of their own home markets. Taking over the existing BEC plant would allow a private entity to win some of the islands' resort business, given developers while keen to establish their own water treatment plants have generally resisted constructing their own power plants. Neymour asserted in an earlier interview that government was seriously considering a review of the original BEC Abaco contract for the plant to make an allowance for private sector participation in the new facility.
"We have had a preliminary view and preliminary look at how private sector participation could assist in improving operations in Abaco at the new plant," said Neymour. "We haven't determined the structure of such an agreement at this time.
"But we feel that it may be in great benefit to BEC to have it reviewed as to whether we can have private sector participation in operating that facility."

~Your Abaco Real Estate Agent
Mailin Sands